Go Back
–+ servings
Zesty lemon butter fish fillet served with fresh herbs and lemon slices
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Zesty Lemon Butter Fish Fillet

A fresh, flavorful dinner featuring tender fish fillets in a buttery, garlicky sauce with a bright lemon zing.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 350kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Paper Towels

Ingredients

Fish Fillets

  • 4 fillets White fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock)

Butter and Seasoning

  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 large Lemon, juice
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley
  • as needed Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant (don’t let it brown!).
  • Place the fish fillets into the skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, until golden on the bottom.
  • Gently flip each fillet. Immediately pour in the lemon juice and sprinkle the lemon zest over the top.
  • Continue cooking another 2–3 minutes, basting the fillets with the buttery sauce as they finish cooking. The fish is done when it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Remove from the heat, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve right away with extra lemon wedges for squeezing.

Notes

For best results, always pat your fish very dry before seasoning. Don’t overcrowd the skillet; work in batches if needed for even cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 600mg | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg